It was a hard fought season of Republican ignorance and destruction, but at last the champions emerge. These 16 Republicans have been invited to represent the best of the worst. We've watched them all season work their butts off to suppress our individual liberties, slander our candidates, and mold the truth like putty in their hands. Now it's our turn to crown the King on the Bottom, the lowest, most despicable, most dangerous, GOP member of the year.

We spent hours seeding the contenders into two regionals (Deep South and Small Town). Dick Cheney's seed is classified, but let's just say he's high up there. George W. Bush, a perennial top seed, lost his spot to Karl Rove in six overtimes. Michelle Bachmann jumped in rank this year after her big push to be the craziest elected official on television. Bill O'Reilly is looking for a title shot, as are Tom DeLay and Rush Limbaugh. The SCOTUS Federalist Foursome are playing as one single-minded entity this year (as if they ever did otherwise) to represent the Supreme Court in the tournament.

It's shaping up to be a great post-season, so go online or print out your brackets, and be ready for Monday when we open with the first match, Karl Rove vs. John McCain. Your votes will decide.

There will be one match each day, Monday through Thursday. Matches will last from 9:30 AM to Midnight. Whoever gets more votes will advance to the next round.